The Mid-Sized College-many options abound

By Sara Cronin

 

When beginning the college search process students often orient their search based on the size of the college or university. Many students believe a mid-sized school will be appropriate for their academic and extra-curricular needs because it offers students an environment larger than their high schools but smaller than the 10,000 and larger state colleges and universities. The general philosophy behind this rationale is reasonable, but what does mid-sized mean beyond having a student population of 4,000 to 8,000 students to those looking for a college experience that is offers more resources with its scale yet remains more personal because of its relative size, mid-sized means offering an abundance of opportunities within close knit community.

Although size can be a determining factor, even with mid-sized schools one can find a significant range and diversity of schools from which to choose. Urban vs. rural, public vs. private, religious vs. non-sectarian, there are many other attributes that help distinguish one school from the other. While the size of the college may be similar, schools can offer very different experiences based on these varying characteristics.

Two mid-sized schools to consider that are similar in size, but differ in locale and educational structure are Carnegie Mellon University and Washington University in St. Louis. Both schools have approximately 6,000 to 7,000 undergraduate students; however, the setting, location and fundamentals of each school are different. Carnegie Mellon is considered a premier research institution with significant focus on technology and research located in the heart of a busy city. There are just under 6,000 undergraduate students studying in over 90 majors and minors from six undergraduate colleges. The University is set in the midst of the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, PA with over 80,000 college students calling the city home. With the city environment right outside your dormitory door, there is much to see and do. This urban setting offers great opportunities for those interested in having a more "urban" experience; however, the focus on the sciences is not for everyone. If you are looking for a bit of a slower pace, one that may also offer quieter spaces, then you may want to consider more of a suburban campus such as you would find at Washington University in St. Louis. Washington University has slightly fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students, 90 undergraduate majors to choose from in five distinct schools, and a beautiful campus near the city center of St. Louis. This mid-west school located in the suburbs offers a quieter and more campus oriented environment with the opportunities of a city nearby. What is interesting in talking with students who attend Wash U is that the city of St. Louis itself plays a limited role in the undergraduate experience. Students rarely find themselves traveling into the city unless their parents come to town to take them for a night out on the town, or they are lucky enough to pursue and landed an internship with a company in the city. Carnegie Melon students, on the other hand, find themselves more immersed in the city with its location, and students find themselves connecting with friends at Duquense and the University of Pittsburgh regularly. Both of these schools have a competitive admission process, Carnegie Mellon had a 38 percent admit rate last year and Washington University admitted a mere 22 percent of those who applied. Which location is right for you? It is important that as you consider urban, suburban or rural, a visit to the college and a tour of the surrounding area will give you a better understanding of what fits your needs.

Two other schools that are similar in size yet offer different surroundings are Ithaca College and American University. Their size may be comparable as both schools have approximately 6,000 undergraduate students, but the setting and make-up of each institution is quite different. Ithaca is located in a small city, surrounded by the picturesque Finger Lakes region and rural area of upstate New York. The College offers over 100 undergraduate majors with the most popular areas of study being science, humanities, visual and performing arts, and communications. A significant population at Ithaca are preparing for a career in teaching and a degree in education as well. Ithaca's acceptance rate was 60% last year with over 13,000 students applying for approximately 1,400 spaces in the freshman class. American University is similar in size to Ithaca, yet with a location in the northwest section of Washington, DC, the surrounding environment couldn't be more different. American University offers just over 50 different undergraduate majors with the social sciences being the most popular. The School of International Service is the largest school of international affairs in the country. Internships and experiential education are a significant component of almost all academic areas at American. With Washington, DC as the backdrop, American is known as a politically active campus and the school offers academic programs, extracurricular clubs and internship opportunities to support such activities. American's acceptance rate was approximately 53 percent last year. Admission is competitive, and being so close to the city is not for everyone, but if you are interested in national and international politics, then American is a school to consider. Both of these mid-sized schools have a great deal to offer, but with very different surroundings a visit to the campus will help to solidify a match to the school community.

Most public universities in the Northeast are large land-grant institutions and states across the country offer large, research-based universities; however there are smaller state colleges throughout the country that offer an excellent mid-sized experience. The College of William and Mary, located in Williamsburg, Virginia with 5,700 undergraduate students, is one such medium sized public school that offers a first rate education. There are 36 undergraduate programs and a significant focus of the College is the undergraduate student, although the school does have a relatively small graduate program as well. The majority of students (90%) at W&M study in the Arts and Sciences and graduate with a BA or BS degree. However, there is extensive opportunity to create a self-designed or interdisciplinary major. Students are given ample opportunity to explore across the curriculum. Admission to this state college is very competitive, and certainly for those applying from out of state. Yes, W&M is a Virginia state school, however nearly 40 percent of the student body hails from out of state. Last year the College reviewed over 11,000 applications and admitted just under 35 percent of those who applied. Therefore, the College of William and Mary is among the most competitive public institutions, but it does offer an outstanding undergraduate experience in a mid-sized environment.

Finally, as students peruse the options of mid-sized schools, there are many that have a religious affiliation. Catholic schools such as Gonzaga University (4,500 undergrads), University of San Diego (5,100 undergrads), Fordham University (7,000 undergrads), and Marquette University (8,000 undergrads) all offer a great experience in a mid-sized school. There are also many mid-sized schools with a Methodist affiliation including Emory University (5,200 undergrads), University of Denver (5,300), Southern Methodist University (6,100 undergrads), and Duke University (6,500 undergrads). Each of these schools varies in location, competitiveness and academics, yet they are all mid-sized schools with a religious connection or foundation. As well, there are many other medium sized schools with other religious foundations that can offer a strong education, a stellar undergraduate experience and an excellent preparation for the future.

In the search for a good fit and the right size school it is most important to research, visit and talk with current students. Find out why the school might be too big for some and yet too small for others. Investigate the nature of the classes; are there larger lecture halls or all small classes? Visit the surrounding community; is being in the middle of a lively city important, or having the country to roam in necessary? And finally, talk to current students during a campus visit. Ask students what made them choose one school over another and how their school fits their needs. Finding just the right fit, no matter how large or small a college may be will help to make the four year experience one that lasts a lifetime.